EP3825262B1 - Turning station for sheet plates or stack of sheet plates and method of using the turning station - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a turning station for sheet metal sheets or sheet metal sheet stacks according to the preamble of claim 1 as well as a method for unpacking sheet metal sheet stacks, a method for storing sheet metal sheet stacks and a method for turning sheet metal sheets or sheet metal sheet stacks, each using such a turning station.

A turning station of the present type therefore comprises a first support, which forms a first support level for a first side of the metal sheets, and a second support, which forms a second support level for a second side of the metal sheets. The two supports can each be rotated about a horizontal axis and are provided with several stops for longitudinal edges of the metal sheets that protrude beyond the support levels of the supports. The mentioned two sides of the metal sheets or metal sheet stacks to be handled by means of the turning station correspond to an upper side and a lower side of a metal sheet, which also have four longitudinal edges, which are usually distributed over two broad side edges and two front side edges if the metal sheets have a rectangular cut.

Turning stations of the present type are used in particular when storing sheet metal sheets or sheet metal sheet packages in a sheet metal storage system, whereby sheet metal sheets with typical dimensions of 2,000 mm x 1,000 mm up to 4,000 mm x 2,000 mm and typical weights of 2,000 to 4,000 kg have to be handled. For this purpose, stacks of metal sheets are usually delivered in protective packaging, so that the stacks of metal sheets must first be removed from the protective packaging. Such protective packaging usually consists of a lower wooden pallet on which the stack of metal sheets rests, and an upper wooden pallet, with intermediate layers between the wooden pallets and the metal sheet stack as well as edge protection elements surrounding the longitudinal edges of the metal sheets usually being present to protect the surfaces and edges of the metal sheets. The whole package is finally tied with several steel straps.

A turning station of the present type, which is used when storing a stack of sheet metal sheets in a sheet metal warehouse, for example a sheet metal warehouse of a steel trade, in order to free a delivered stack of sheet metal sheets from its protective packaging and then store the stack of sheet metal sheets automatically in the sheet metal warehouse as a video clip at the web address URL : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3nd4lqgllA (accessed on October 28, 2019). There, a stack of metal sheets and their protective packaging are placed on a first support, which is formed from several webs between which the forks of a forklift can be inserted. After placing the stack of metal sheets using a forklift, the protective packaging is opened and in particular the top wooden pallet is removed until the top side (second side) of the top metal sheet is finally exposed. The first support is then pivoted about a horizontal axis by almost 90 degrees, whereupon a second support with a second support level running parallel to the first support level is moved to the exposed second side of the sheet metal stack and placed against it. Now both supports are pivoted together around the horizontal axis so that the first support is rotated by more than 90° compared to the starting position. As a result, the stack of metal sheets now rests on the second support, so that the first support can be removed. The second support is then further pivoted around the horizontal axis until the second support level runs horizontally. As a result, the stack of metal sheets was rotated, ie turned, by 180 degrees. In this situation, the stack of metal sheets is now freed from the remaining protective packaging. The turning station is then used to place the stack of sheet metal sheets on a pallet, whereby the stack of sheet metal sheets is turned over again. Storage in the sheet metal warehouse then takes place on this pallet.

According to this prior art, the transfer of the stack of metal sheets from the first to the second edition requires complex movement control of the first and second editions, because the height of the stack of metal sheets can vary. The two supports must therefore be moved both rotationally and translationally in order to be able to transfer the stack of metal sheets from the first support to the second support. In addition, due to the comparatively high weight of the sheet metal stacks to be handled, the two supports not only have to be solid, but also have to be provided with correspondingly strong drives and power transmission devices.

In other known solutions for storing stacks of metal sheets, the accessibility of the stack of metal sheets in order to remove protective packaging is usually severely limited

Finally, a turning station of the present type should not only be suitable for unpacking and storing stacks of sheet metal sheets, but also for turning individual sheet metal sheets or stacks of sheet metal sheets for the purpose of an inspection during quality assurance measures or for the purpose of a commission, for example of corrugated or tear sheets.

In the FR-A-2 588 251 , which discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1, a turning device is disclosed with which palletized goods can be transferred from a first pallet to a second pallet by placing the second pallet on top of the palletized goods and placing the entire stack in the turning device is turned upside down so that the goods can be removed while lying on the second pallet. For this purpose, a rotatable basket is used that has two supports that can be moved symmetrically relative to one another. The stack with the two pallets is held between these supports so that it can be rotated by 180°.
in the DE-B-10 2012 216 484 A turning device with two turning tables is proposed, which are suspended in a kind of rotatable basket and can be moved synchronously back and forth from each other, so that one to be turned Material between the two turning tables is always in the rotation axis of the basket. The turning tables are provided with ribs to create support levels. The basket is stored in a frame and can be rotated 360°. Guide columns serve as linear guides for the turning tables.

The invention is based on the object of proposing a turning station for metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets of the type mentioned at the beginning, which works in particular with simpler kinematics. Furthermore, methods using this turning station for unpacking, storing and/or turning metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets are to be proposed.

This task is solved by a turning station with the features of claim 1 and by a method for unpacking stacks of sheet metal sheets with the features of claim 7, by a method for storing stacks of sheet metal sheets with the features of claim 8 and by a method for turning sheet metal sheets or Stacking sheet metal sheets with the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments of the turning station according to the invention can be found in claims 2 to 6; preferred developments of the method according to the invention are set out in claims 10 to 14.

A turning station according to the invention for metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets, with a first support, which forms a first support level for a first side of the metal sheets, and with a second support, which forms a second support level for a second side of the metal sheets, and in which the two supports each are rotatable about a horizontal axis and are provided with several stops for longitudinal edges of the metal sheets that protrude beyond the support planes of the supports, is therefore characterized by the fact that the two supports are part of a rotating device, which also has a frame with two end faces, in a common one Pivot bearings lying on the axis of rotation as well as a basket mounted in the two pivot bearings and rotatable by motor around the axis of rotation with front-side linear guides for the two supports. The two supports are held in the basket with parallel, mutually oriented support levels in such a way that the axis of rotation is between them is located on both support levels and the two supports in the front linear guides can each be moved by motor in a direction of movement towards and away from the axis of rotation.

The rotating device of the turning station according to the invention is therefore the core element for turning metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets. To unpack stacks of metal sheets, according to the invention, it is first ensured that the rotating device is in a zero position, in which the two supports are spaced apart from one another and the support levels run horizontally. In this zero position, the sheet metal stack is introduced into the rotating device, for example by means of a forklift, and placed on the support (first support) currently arranged at the bottom. If the supports, as is preferred according to the invention, are each formed by several webs running transversely to the axis of rotation, depositing the stack of metal sheets with a forklift is simplified, since its forks can be passed between the individual webs of the support.

After the sheet metal stack has been introduced into the rotating device and rests on the first support with the packaging open - the packaging being opened before the rotating device is inserted or preferably only after being introduced into the rotating device - the two supports are moved together until the sheet metal stack is between the is clamped on both editions. Since the two supports, as is preferred in the context of the present invention, can be moved in a mirror-symmetrical manner to the plane of the axis of rotation and are preferably moved in this way, the axis of rotation in this stage of the process runs approximately centrally through the stack of metal sheets. A rotation of the rotatable basket of the rotating device by 180 degrees, which is carried out according to the invention, can therefore be carried out with significantly lower forces compared to the prior art; because the axis of rotation in the rotating device according to the invention is much closer to the center of gravity of the sheet metal stack than in the prior art. In addition, the problematic transfer of the stack of metal sheets from the first to the second is no longer necessary Support, because the sheet metal stack is clamped between the two supports during rotation, ie during turning.

After the rotatable basket of the rotating device has been rotated by 180 degrees, the two supports are moved apart again, so that the stack of metal sheets now rests on the second support, which is now arranged at the bottom, and can be freed from the rest of the packaging, which is preferably done before the stack of metal sheets is removed from the rotating device, but within the scope of the present invention can also take place after removal. Alternatively, the rest of the packaging of the stack of sheet metal sheets is removed, then the two supports are moved together again and the rotatable basket of the rotating device is turned back by 180 degrees before the stack of sheet metal sheets is removed from the rotating device. This can then be stored in a warehouse in the same orientation in which it was originally delivered.

The two supports of the turning station according to the invention are preferably constructed essentially identically, so that after removing a metal sheet or a stack of metal sheets, the rotating device is already in the zero position again without having to rotate back by 180 degrees. This not only saves time, but also prevents incorrect operation.

The turning station according to the invention therefore has kinematics that are easier to control than was usual in the prior art. The basket, which can be rotated about the axis of rotation, sits at the front in the pivot bearings of the frame of the rotating device and is preferably designed symmetrically to the axis of rotation; it is rotated purely rotationally and with largely balanced weight forces around a horizontal axis of rotation. This is easy to solve using motors. The rotatable basket is provided at the front with a linear guide in which the two supports sit, in an orientation towards each other, with the two support planes running parallel and (at least in the zero position) lying below and above the horizontal axis of rotation. Preferably run the support planes are also parallel to the axis of rotation. By means of the linear guides attached to the front of the rotatable basket, the two supports can be moved linearly by motor towards and away from the axis of rotation, with the two support levels also running parallel to one another during this movement. Such linear movements are also easy to implement kinematically and preferably with electric motor drives. The linear guides are preferably provided with racks or are operatively connected in order to be able to move the supports along the linear guides.

Kinematically, it is particularly easy to move the two supports mirror-symmetrically to the plane of the axis of rotation; However, within the scope of the present invention, the supports can also be designed to be separately movable.

According to a preferred development of the turning station according to the invention, at least some of the stops for longitudinal edges of the metal sheets, which are arranged on the supports and protrude beyond the support levels, are provided with rollers for the longitudinal edges. This makes it possible to align a stack of sheet metal sheets in the rotating device by simply rotating the rotating device by 90 degrees after inserting and depositing the stack of sheet metal sheets and after moving the two supports together and clamping the stack of sheet metal sheets and then moving the two supports apart slightly, so that on the one hand all Metal sheets can be aligned at the stops and, on the other hand, can also be pushed together at the front in order not only to align the metal sheets of the metal sheet stack with each other, but also to push them into a defined starting position for further processing. For this purpose, the turning station according to the invention is preferably provided with at least one sliding unit for placing on longitudinal edges of the metal sheets and for pushing metal sheets within a sliding plane parallel to the support planes. Preferably, at least one sliding unit is responsible for pushing the metal sheets with their wide longitudinal edges against the stops and thus aligning the metal sheets on the stops, while two sliding units, each of which attach to a front longitudinal edge of the metal sheets, are responsible for this are to push the metal sheets together at the stops with the help of the rollers and thus align them at the front.

In particular in this context, it is preferred if the stack of metal sheets is introduced into the rotating device and placed on the support currently arranged at the bottom in such a way that the stack of metal sheets rests on at least one longitudinal edge of the metal sheets on the stops protruding above the support level of the support. If the stack of metal sheets is inserted into the rotating device with a forklift, this can be done quite simply by not lowering the forks of the forklift completely under the support, but rather pulling the stack of metal sheets against the stops when pulling the forks out of the rotating device; these then hold back the stack of metal sheets. When inserting, the forks of the forklift can only be lowered until the stack of metal sheets does not yet rest on the support, but does rest against the stops when the forks are pulled back. The forks of the forklift can then be lowered under the support and completely moved out of the rotating device. The sheet metal stack is therefore already in contact with the stops when it rests on the first support in the zero position of the rotating device. The rotating device is then expediently rotated in such a way that the longitudinal edge of the metal sheets resting against the stops is oriented downwards.

A further feature of the turning station according to the invention is that, in addition to the rotating device, it has a stationary transfer device with several horizontally oriented rods that can be extended horizontally on both sides, in particular telescopic rods, for depositing the metal sheets or the stack of metal sheets. On a first broad side of the transfer device, the rods or telescopic rods can be extended in order to accommodate a support in the rotating device, and on a second broad side of the transfer device, the rods or telescopic rods can be extended in order to transfer metal sheets or the stack of metal sheets to a transport device.

It is preferred if the turning station also has a transport device in addition to the rotating device and the transfer device, the transfer device being arranged between the rotating device and the transport device, and the transport device comprising at least one pallet for depositing and storing metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets.

It is particularly preferred here if the frame of the device is provided with running wheels, in particular with running wheels for rails, in order to be able to move or move the rotating device. It is particularly preferred here if the rotating device and its running wheels as well as the stationary transfer device are coordinated with one another in such a way that the rotating device can be moved at least partially over the stationary transfer device by means of the running wheels.

The turning station according to the invention is therefore divided into two or, in a preferred development, three areas. In the first area there is the rotating device for turning the metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets and for precisely aligning them into a defined zero position on the support below. The second area is formed by the stationary transfer device, which is arranged in a defined relative position to the rotating device and removes the metal sheets or metal sheet stack from the rotating device and, since the movement begins in a defined zero position of the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack, with well-defined coordinates to a transport device next to the transfer facility. This transport device, which can already be part of a warehouse, but is preferably part of the turning station according to the invention, forms the third area from which the sheet metal sheet or the stack of sheet metal sheets can be automatically stored in, for example, a sheet metal warehouse.

This division into three areas makes it easier to comply with occupational safety without impairing the working speed, because only the first area, i.e. the rotating device, has to be accessible to an operator, for example to move metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets using a forklift to insert or remove safety packaging. While an operator is at the rotating device and carries out work steps there, the other areas, i.e. the transfer device and possibly the transport device, can continue to run unaffected.

The separate transfer direction with extendable rods, in particular telescopic rods, for removing metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets from the rotating device also offers the great advantage that the rotating device can be kept free of transfer elements that would otherwise exert large angular forces on the rotary drives of the rotating device.

With the preferably present wheels on the rotating device, there is also the advantage that the rotating device can be moved away from the transfer device if necessary, but in particular can be moved at least partially over it. In the former case, access to the rotating device is simplified, while in the latter case the rotating device and the transfer device can be pushed together, so to speak, in order to create space if necessary, i.e. the floor space required for the turning station according to the invention does not generally have to be occupied, but only when the Turning station is used.

The preferably present transport device of a turning station according to the invention preferably consists of a rail-bound storage trolley with at least one pallet resting on it, the storage trolley being provided with lifting rams or a lifting rake for lifting and lowering metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets. The extendable rods of the transfer device can thus move the metal sheet or the stack of metal sheets up to the pallet, where the lifting rams or the lifting rakes of the storage trolley take over the metal sheet or the stack of metal sheets and, after retracting the extendable rods, lower them onto the pallet.

The advantage of dividing the turning station into three areas is that there are two to three metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets in a kind of buffer from which they can then be automatically transported away, in particular stored in a rack warehouse. When storing newly delivered metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets, the operator does not have to wait until the storage on a shelf is completed before the next sheet of metal or the next stack of metal sheets can be inserted into the rotating device.

With the turning station according to the invention, metal sheets can therefore be stored individually or in a stack, preferably exactly from an initial zero position in the rotating device in a warehouse. In addition, metal sheets or metal sheet stacks can optionally also be fetched from a warehouse and automatically turned over in the turning station according to the invention, for example to enable an inspection as part of a quality assurance of a buyer of metal sheets, or to create an orientation of metal sheets necessary for picking, which is the case with metal sheets with different surfaces such as checker plates or tear plates may be necessary. Finally, by means of the turning station according to the invention, which is provided with a transfer device and a transport device, a realignment of stacks of metal sheets and/or new storage with well-defined coordinates can also be carried out automatically.

The stack of metal sheets is removed from the rotating device by a transfer device at a correspondingly designed turning station, preferably in such a way that the horizontally extendable rods, in particular telescopic rods, are extended on the first broad side of the transfer device until they reach under the currently lower support in the rotating device, after which the lower support is lowered until the metal sheet or stack of metal sheets rests on the extendable rods. The extendable rods are then retracted again in order to remove the metal sheet or the stack of metal sheets from the rotating device. The transfer device can thus be designed with only horizontally movable rods, which makes it significantly easier to deal with the weight forces that act on the extendable rods.

Figur 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht einer erfindungsgemäß ausgestalteten Wendestation;

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Wendestation aus Figur 1;

Figur 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Dreheinrichtung der Wendestation aus Figur 1;

Figur 4

eine perspektivische Ansicht von Teilen der Dreheinrichtung aus Figur 3;

Figur 5

eine Ansicht wie Figur 4, in einem anderen Verfahrensstadium;

Figur 6

eine Ansicht wie Figur 4, in einem anderen Verfahrensstadium;

Figur 7

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Dreheinrichtung aus Figur 3, in einem anderen Verfahrensstadium;

Figur 8

eine schematische Darstellung eines Teils der Dreheinrichtung aus Figur 7;

Figur 9

eine Ansicht der stationären Übergabeeinrichtung der Wendestation aus Figur 1;

Figur 10

eine weitere perspektivische Ansicht der Wendestation aus Figur 1.

An exemplary embodiment of a turning station designed according to the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and explained in more detail together with their use, which represent examples of the methods according to the invention. Show it:

Figure 1

a schematic side view of a turning station designed according to the invention;

Figure 2

a perspective view of the turning station Figure 1 ;

Figure 3

a perspective view of the turning device of the turning station Figure 1 ;

Figure 4

a perspective view of parts of the rotating device Figure 3 ;

Figure 5

a view like Figure 4 , at another stage of the proceedings;

Figure 6

a view like Figure 4 , at another stage of the proceedings;

Figure 7

a perspective view of the rotating device Figure 3 , at another stage of the proceedings;

Figure 8

a schematic representation of part of the rotating device Figure 7 ;

Figure 9

a view of the stationary transfer device of the turning station Figure 1 ;

Figure 10

Another perspective view of the turning station Figure 1 .

The drawings are schematic representations, not to scale. The same reference numerals in the figures indicate the same or identical elements.

Figure 1 shows a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a turning station designed according to the invention, which is divided into three areas: A first area is a rotating device 1 in which metal sheets or stacks of metal sheets can be rotated or turned. A second area consists of a stationary transfer device 2 for removing a metal sheet or a stack of metal sheets from the rotating device 1. In a third area, a transport device 3 is arranged, with a rail-mounted storage cart 15 and a pallet 16 resting on it. The storage cart 15 has a number of lifting stamps 17, which are in Figure 1 are extended in order to lower a sheet metal stack 18 from a raised position onto the pallet 16.

The individual elements of the rotating device 1 are preferably shown together Figures 1 and 2 recognizable. The rotating device 1 has a first support 4 and a second support 5 for sheet metal stacks 18 or metal sheets, with the first support 4 forming the lower support and the second support 5 forming the upper support in the zero position of the rotating device 1 shown. Both supports 4, 5 consist of a number of webs 6, which are provided with stops 7 on the front. This design of the particular first support 4 makes it possible to insert stacks of metal sheets 18 into the rotating device 1 using a forklift, by introducing the stack of metal sheets 18 into the rotating device 1 until it is above the first support 4, and then lowering the forks of the forklift until they are approximately between the webs 6. The forklift then pulls out the forks, whereby the sheet metal stack 18, which is held back by the stops 7 on the webs 6, is stripped off. The metal sheets introduced into the rotating device 1 then rest against the stops 7.

The first support 4 and the second support 5 are mounted in a rotatable basket 8, namely in linear guides 9, along which they can be moved linearly with support planes oriented parallel to one another. In the zero position shown, this corresponds to up and down movements of the two supports 4, 5.

The basket 8 can be rotated about an axis of rotation 10, for which purpose it is mounted in a frame 11, more precisely: in pivot bearings 12 attached to this frame 11. The basket 8 of this exemplary embodiment has two front disks 19, which make it possible to accommodate other necessary units, such as drive motors 20 for the linear movements of the supports 4, 5.

The first support 4 with its support plane and the second support 5 with its support plane are oriented parallel to each other and to the axis of rotation 10, and the axis of rotation 10 is located between the two supports 4, 5 or support levels. The supports 4, 5 are adjusted symmetrically to the axis of rotation 10 in their linear guides 9 by means of the drive motors 20, so that it always lies between the two support levels.

The frame 11 of the rotating device 1 stands with running wheels 13 on rails 14, so that the rotating device 1 can be moved away from the transfer device 2, for example to enable easier access for operators who have a stack of metal sheets 18 located on the lower support 4, 5 free from its safety packaging. In particular, the rotating device 1 can also be moved on the rails 14 over the transfer device 2 in order to minimize the required floor space of the turning station when not in use.

Figure 3 is a further view of the rotating device 1, with a sheet metal stack 18 resting on the webs 6, which form the first support 4. Editions 4, 5 are open; This is the zero position of the rotating device 1.

The Figures 4 , 5 and 6 show only a part of the rotating device 1, namely the basket 8 with its front disks 19, the linear guides 9 and the two movable supports 4, 5. During Figure 4 is intended to contribute to a better understanding of the construction of the rotating device 1, with the elements shown, with the exception of one roller 21 in the stops 7 of the first edition 4, based on the Figures 1 to 3 have already been described, represent the Figures 5 and 6 along with Figure 3 three different times when using the rotating device 1:

In Figure 3 the rotating device 1 is in the zero position, ie the first support 4 is at the bottom and its support plane runs horizontally, while the second support 5 has moved upwards. A sheet metal stack 18 is placed on the first support 4 and rests with a longitudinal edge on the stops 7 of the first support 4, more precisely: on its rollers 21. The sheet metal stack 18 is now accessible to an operator if necessary, for example to open a security packaging and largely remove it.

The two supports 4, 5 are now moved together symmetrically to the axis of rotation 10, so that a situation arises that in Figure 5 is shown: The metal sheet stack 18 is clamped between the first edition 4 and the second edition 5. At the same time, the axis of rotation 10 runs through the sheet metal stack 18, so that its center of gravity is advantageously close to the axis of rotation 10 and as a result only comparatively small forces are necessary to rotate the basket 8 by 180 °.

The situation that arises after this rotation shows Figure 6 . There, the first support 4, which is now at the top, and the second support 5, which is now at the bottom, have been moved apart again, so that the sheet metal stack 18, now resting on the second support 5, is again accessible to an operator. It has been turned through 180° so that, for example, the operator can now remove the parts of a security packaging that were previously on the underside of the sheet metal stack 18.

Figure 7 shows the rotating device 1 in an optional intermediate stage, which is between the times in the Figures 5 and 6 are shown, inserted can be. Here, the rotatable basket 8 of the rotating device 1 has initially only been rotated by 90 degrees around the axis of rotation 10, so that the stops 7 with their rollers 21 are now at the bottom. The sheet metal stack 18 is located between the first support 4 and the second support 5, but is no longer firmly clamped between them because the supports 4, 5 have opened slightly. Rather, the metal sheet stack 18 now rests on the rollers 21 with the longitudinal edges of the individual metal sheets. In this intermediate stage, the individual metal sheets of the metal sheet stack 18 are aligned, which Figure 8 better illustrated in a sectional view. On the one hand, the metal sheets are pushed against the webs 6 or their rollers 21 with two first sliding units 22 mounted on the frame 11, and on the other hand, lateral, second sliding units 23 are provided, which push the front longitudinal edges of the individual metal sheets of the metal sheet stack 18 together. Thus, the metal sheets of the metal sheet stack 18 are aligned exactly with one another and, if necessary, also brought into a zero position, the coordinates of which are known and can be used during further transport, in particular storage of the metal sheet stack 18. By moving the two supports 4, 5 together, the sheet metal stack 18 is then clamped again and rotated by a further 90° in order to Figure 6 to form the situation presented. In this situation, in particular the turned sheet metal stack 18 can be removed from the rotating device 1 by machine.

The turned sheet metal stack 18 is removed from the rotating device 1 by means of the transfer device 2, which is in Figure 9 is shown. This consists of a stationary transfer frame 24, to which a number of telescopic rods 25 are attached, which are extended onto a first broad side 26, which is oriented towards the rotating device 1, and additionally onto a second broad side 27, which is oriented towards the transport device 3 can be. By means of support sleeves 28, which are attached to the telescopic rods 25, the sheet metal stack 18 can be grasped under and lifted off for removal from the rotating device and for placing on the lifting ram 17 of the transport device 3 ( Figure 1 ) can be lowered. However, the lifting and lowering only takes place relative to the rotating device 1 and the lifting rams 17 of the transport device 3, because in reality the telescopic rods 25 can only be moved horizontally, but not vertically, which increases their carrying capacity for the weight of the sheet metal stacks 18. When the sheet metal stack 18 is lifted from the first support 4, the first support 4 is lowered, while the telescopic rods 25 remain vertically unchanged. The sheet metal stack 18 then rests on the support sleeves 28 of the telescopic rods 25. In a corresponding manner, the lifting rams 17 of the storage trolley 15 on the second side 17 of the transfer device 2 lift a sheet metal stack 18 resting on the support sleeves 18 of the telescopic rods 25, so that the telescopic rods 25 can be pulled back again while the sheet metal stack 18 remains on the lifting rams 17 and can be lowered with these onto the pallet 16 on the storage trolley 15.

Figure 10 is a further overall representation of the turning station with rotating device 1, transfer device 2 and transport device 3, in which in this representation a sheet metal stack 18 is buffered on the transport device 3 and is waiting to be stored along a rail route 29 in a sheet metal warehouse (not shown). At the same time, the telescopic rods 25 of the transfer device 2 are extended again on their first broad side 26 into the rotating device 1 in order to remove a next stack of metal sheets 18 from there.

List of reference symbols:

1

Rotary device

2

Transfer facility

3

Transport facility

4

first edition

5

second edition

6

Bridges

7

attacks

8th

Basket

9

Linear guides

10

Axis of rotation

11

frame

12

Swivel bearing

13

Wheels

14

rails

15

storage cart

16

palette

17

Lifting stamp

18

Stack of sheet metal sheets

19

frontal disks

20

drive motors

21

Roller

22

Sliding units (first)

23

Sliding units (second)

24

transfer frame

25

Telescopic poles

26

first broadside (of 2)

27

second broadside (of 2)

28

Support sleeves

29

Railway route

30

first page (of 18)

31

second page (of 18).

Claims (14)

1. Turning station for metal sheets or metal sheet stacks (18), with a first support (4), which forms a first support plane for a first side of the metal sheets, and with a second support (5), which forms a second support plane for a second side of the metal sheets, wherein both supports (4, 5) are each rotatable about an horizontal axis of rotation (10) and are provided with a plurality of stops (7) for the longitudinal edges of the metal sheets, which project beyond the support planes of the supports (4, 5), wherein both supports (4, 5) are part of a rotary apparatus (1), which also comprises a frame (11) with two front-side rotary bearings (12), situated in a common axis of rotation (10), and a basket (8), mounted in both rotary bearings (12) and rotatable via a motor about the axis of rotation (10) with front-side linear guides (9) for both supports (4, 5), wherein both supports (4, 5) are held by parallel, mutually oriented support planes in the basket (8), such that the axis of rotation (10) is located between both support planes,

   characterised in that both supports (4, 5) are each movable by a motor in the front-side linear guides (9) in a direction of movement towards and away from the axis of rotation (10), in particular movable symmetrically to the plane of the axis of rotation (10), and wherein the supports (4, 5) are each formed in particular by a plurality of webs (6) running transversely to the axis of rotation (10),

   wherein the turning station, in addition to the rotary apparatus (1), has a stationary transfer apparatus (2) with a plurality of horizontally oriented rods that can be extended horizontally on both sides, in particular telescopic rods (25), for placing the metal sheets or the metal sheet stack, wherein the rods on a first broad side (26) of the transfer apparatus (2) can be extended in order to engage below a support (4) in the rotary apparatus (1), and can be extended on a second broad side (27) of the transfer apparatus (2) in order to transfer metal sheets or the metal sheet stack to a transport apparatus (3).
2. Turning station according to claim 1,
   characterised in
   that at least some of the stops (7) for the longitudinal edges of the metal sheets are provided with rollers (21) for the longitudinal edges.
3. Turning station according to at least one of claims 1 or 2,
   characterised in
   that at least one sliding unit (22, 23) is attached to the rotatable basket (8) for positioning on longitudinal edges of the metal sheets and for pushing metal sheets within a sliding plane parallel to the support planes.
4. Turning station according to at least one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in
   that the frame (11) is provided with running wheels (13), in particular with running wheels (13) for rails (14), in order to displace or move the rotary apparatus (1), and that the rotary apparatus (1) is at least partially movable via the stationary transfer apparatus (2) by means of the running wheels (13).
5. Turning station according to claim 4,
   characterised in
   that the turning station has a transport apparatus (3) in addition to the rotary apparatus (1) and the transfer apparatus (2), wherein the transfer apparatus (2) is arranged between the rotary apparatus (1) and the transport apparatus (3), and wherein the transport apparatus (3) comprises at least one pallet (16) for placing and storing metal sheets or metal sheet stacks (18).
6. Turning station according to claim 5,
   characterised in
   that the transport apparatus (3) essentially consists of a rail-bound storage truck (15) with at least one pallet (16) resting on it, wherein the storage truck (15) is provided with lifting rams (17) or a lifting rake for raising and lowering metal sheets or metal sheet stacks (18).
7. Method for unpacking metal sheet stacks (18), using a turning station according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, with the following method steps:

   - ensuring that the rotary apparatus (1) of the turning station is situated in a neutral position in which both supports (4, 5) are mutually spaced apart and the support planes are situated horizontally,

   - introducing a metal sheet stack (18) into the rotary apparatus (1) and placing the same on the support (4) currently located below,

   - opening a packaging of the metal sheet stack (18) before or after introducing the same into the rotary apparatus (1),

   - converging both supports (4, 5) and clamping the metal sheet stack (18) between the supports (4, 5),

   - rotating the rotatable basket (8) of the rotary apparatus (1) by 180 angular degrees and diverging both supports (4, 5),

   - removing the packaging of the metal sheet stack (18),

   - retrieving the metal sheet stack (18) from the rotary apparatus (1), or converging both supports (4, 5) and clamping the metal sheet stack (18) between the supports (4, 5) and reversing the rotatable basket (8) of the rotary apparatus (1) by 180 angular degrees and retrieving the metal sheet stack (18) from the rotary apparatus (1).
8. Method for storing metal sheet stacks (18), using a turning station according to at least one of claims 5 or 6, with the following method steps:

   - ensuring that the rotary apparatus (1) of the turning station is situated in a neutral position in which both supports (4, 5) are mutually spaced apart and the support planes are situated horizontally,

   - introducing a metal sheet stack (18) into the rotary apparatus (1) and placing the same on the support (4) currently located below,

   - converging both supports (4, 5) and clamping the metal sheet stack (18) between the supports (4, 5),

   - rotating the rotatable basket (8) of the rotary apparatus (1) by 180 angular degrees and diverging both supports (4, 5),

   - retrieving the metal sheet stack (18) from the rotary apparatus (1) with the transfer apparatus (2), or converging both supports (4, 5) and clamping the metal sheet stack (18) between the supports (4, 5) and reversing the rotatable basket (8) of the rotary apparatus (1) by 180 angular degrees and retrieving the metal sheet stack (18) from the rotary apparatus (1) with the transfer apparatus (2),

   - transferring the metal sheet stack (18) from the transfer apparatus (2) to the transport apparatus (3).
9. Method for turning metal sheets or metal sheet stacks (18), using a turning station according to at least one of claims 5 or 6, with the following method steps:

   - ensuring that the rotary apparatus (1) of the turning station is situated in a neutral position in which both supports (4, 5) are mutually spaced apart and the support planes are situated horizontally,

   - removing a metal sheet or a metal sheet stack (18) from the transport apparatus (3) by means of the transfer apparatus (2),

   - introducing the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) into the rotary apparatus (1) by means of the transfer apparatus (2) and placing the same on the support (4) currently located below,

   - converging both supports (4, 5) and clamping the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) between the supports (4, 5),

   - rotating the rotatable basket (8) of the rotary apparatus (1) by 180 angular degrees and diverging both supports (4, 5),

   - retrieving the metal sheet stack (18) from the rotary apparatus (1) by means of the transfer apparatus (2),

   - transferring the metal sheet stack (18) from the transfer apparatus (2) to the transport apparatus (3).
10. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein introducing the metal sheet stack (18) into the rotary apparatus (1) and placing the same on the support (4) currently located below takes place in such a way that the metal sheet stack (18) on at least a longitudinal edge of the metal sheets rests against the stops (7) which project above the support plane of the support (4), and wherein the rotary apparatus (1) is rotated in such a way that the longitudinal edges of the metal sheets resting on the stops (7) are oriented downwards.
11. Method according to claim 10, wherein the rotary apparatus (1), after introducing and placing the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) and converging both supports (4, 5) and clamping the metal sheet stack (18) between the supports (4, 5), is rotated by 90 angular degrees, after which both supports (4, 5) are moved slightly apart and the metal sheet or all metal sheets of the metal sheet stack (18) is or are pushed against the stops (7) for a longitudinal edge of the metal sheets by means of a sliding unit (22).
12. Method according to claim 11, wherein a turning station according to claims 2 and 3 is used and wherein the metal sheet or all metal sheets of the metal sheet stack (18) is or are pushed into a neutral position by means of at least one sliding unit (23) acting on the front side.
13. Method according to any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the metal sheet stack (18) is retrieved from the rotary apparatus (1) by the transfer apparatus (2) in such a way, that the horizontally extendable rods on the first broad side (26) of the transfer apparatus (2) are extended until they reach under the currently lower support (4), that the lower support (4) is then lowered until the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) rests on the extendable rods, and subsequently, the extendable rods are retracted again, in order to retrieve the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) from the rotary apparatus (1).
14. Method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the transfer of the metal sheet stack (18) from the transfer apparatus (2) to the transport apparatus (3) takes place using a turning station according to claim 10 and in such a way that the horizontally extendable rods with the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) on the second broad side (27) of the transfer apparatus (2) can be extended until the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) is located above the pallet (16), then the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) is raised by means of the lifting ram (17) or the lifting rake of the storage truck (15), then the extendable rods are retracted, and finally the lifting ram (17) or the lifting rake is lowered until the metal sheet or the metal sheet stack (18) rests on the pallet (16).

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